Giroux: ‘I didn’t give myself hope’ for Olympic call

Claude Giroux was not chosen as Steven Stamkos’ replacement for Team Canada. (USA TODAY Images)

PHILADELPHIA — Claude Giroux didn’t even know he had been passed over a second time by Hockey Canada until a team employee whispered it in his ear.

Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos won’t play for Team Canada in the Olympics. He has been replaced by his NHL teammate, Martin St. Louis.

Stamkos, who is recovering from a broken tibia, announced Wednesday that he wasn’t cleared to play in the Sochi Winter Games. Team Canada brass, including Lightning GM Steve Yzerman, quickly convened and chose St. Louis as the replacement.

Once the Flyers’ captain heard the news, he wanted to get it over with and do the interview immediately so he could move on.

“I didn’t give myself hope,” Giroux said. “I didn’t want to be disappointed again. That’s unfortunate for Steven. He worked hard to come back and wanted to make the team and come back and play. It’s too bad for him.”

Giroux has 35 points since Dec. 5, a span of 29 games. He turned his game up in a big way since Jan. 7, when Team Canada announced its initial roster and his name wasn’t on it. After starting his season with a 15-game goalless drought, Giroux has been on fire as of late and leads the Flyers with 55 points in 57 games.

“I’m just focused with tonight’s game,” Giroux said. “Good for Marty to be able to go on to the Olympics.”

Last time Giroux was passed over, he scored a goal that night in a win over the New Jersey Devils. This time, he’ll have the Colorado Avalanche as his punching bag.